12 Oct The Masks of Satan, Part II: I Am What I Have

Last week in Fresh Start, I told you about a book my pastoral coach has me reading: Peter Scazzero’s “Emotionally Healthy Spirituality.” In the temptation of Jesus in Luke 4:1-13, Scazzero sees “three false identities or masks that Satan offers each one of us.”  They are:

Temptation One: “I am what I do” (performance)- “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread.” (Luke 4:3)

Temptation Two: “I am what I have” (possessions)- “I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them.” (Luke 4:6)

Temptation Three:” I am what others think” (popularity)- “If you are the Son of God, jump off!” (Luke 4:9)

Last week, we covered Temptation/Mask One. This week, we tackle Temptation/Mask Two:

“I am what I have”

5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.” Luke 4:5-7 (NIV)

Scazzero points out: “Our culture measures our success by what we own.” As Jesus’ experience in the desert points out, the temptation to be identified by our possessions isn’t new. It has, however, been put on steroids in modern culture. That’s especially true in affluent countries like the United States. People often find their identity in:

• The money and prestige that comes from their career
• The car they drive
• The house they live in
• Their smartphone
• The trips they take
• Beautiful or handsome spouse (Yes, sadly, people can come to see these as possessions)

There is nothing inherently wrong with any of these things and nothing wrong with enjoying them. However, they become destructive when we desire to find our identity in them and not in Christ. We can defeat this temptation the same way Jesus did: “Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only” (Deut. 6:13)

Satan made Jesus an offer: serve and follow me and all this will be yours. When we let possessions rule our lives, we take the offer Jesus rejected. Satan made the offer to Jesus to detail God’s plan for the redemption of humanity. He makes the same offer to us to make us of no use to God.

When our identity is in Christ, we have the mind of Christ and can serve His purpose for us during our time on earth. When our identity is in the stuff we own, we are of little use to God. I can speak from experience on this.

Before I came to Christ in 2016, I was owned by the desire for more. It didn’t matter what it was, I wanted more of it, or the newest or the best and status was a big reason why.

As Scazzero writes, it’s another mask Satan tries to get us to put on. Pray that you shed all your masks and seek your identity only in Jesus. Take it from me; not living to have more will be the most liberating change you ever make.

Next week: Part III “I am what others think”

Pastor Jerry Bader